Global Travel Management | Business Travel Specialists

Qantas Forms New Global Partnership

14, September 2012/in Corporate Travel Newsletter /by Paul

Qantas has announced the formation of a new global ten year partnership with Emirates. However, the agreement falls short of a merger and there will be no equity investment on either side.

The existing 17 year joint business between British Airways and Qantas will end on 31st March 2013, however, both airlines will continue to work together as Qantas will remain a One World alliance partner.

The main change will see Qantas moving its hub for European flights from Singapore to Dubai next April.

Full Body Scanners At Edinburgh Airport

14, September 2012/in Corporate Travel Newsletter /by Paul

Passengers flying through Edinburgh Airport may now have to go through full body scanners.

The airport has been directed to introduce the new scanners by the British government. Don’t worry though, the scanners will only provide security staff with a mannequin style diagram, rather than a ‘naked’ image!

Our New Web Site!

14, September 2012/in Corporate Travel Newsletter /by Paul

Following our recent office move we have also now updated and refreshed our web site.

The URL hasn’t changed, it remains : www.gtm.uk.com, and is now packed with lot’s more news and features. We would particularly like to draw your attention to a new feature called GTM Toolbox. This can be found on either the horizontal menu, or, there is an icon of an iPhone on the right hand side of your screen; simply hover your cursor over it.

Of interest to those of you who regularly book travel for your colleagues, is a new product called GTM Dashboard. This new tool provides an overview of all the trips you’ve made on one screen, rather than having to refer to individual ViewTrip references. Should you wish to have a demo of this new tool, or sign up, please contact Scott Pawley at spawley@g-t-m.co.uk.

There are lots of other helpful news, tools and links, so please have a look when you have some spare time. And now other news….

Beware Rip-off Ryanair Charges

14, September 2012/in Corporate Travel Newsletter /by Paul

Forewarned is forearmed as the saying goes. Ryanair tickets may be as cheap as chips, however, woe betide you if you do not print out your boarding pass.

That’s what happened to passenger Suzy McLeod on 15th August, when she had to shell out 300 Euros for five boarding passes to fly from Spain to Bristol. To compound matters Suzy had checked in online, but had simply forgotten to print out her boarding passes; and, thus, was charged the 300 Euros for five pieces of paper – ouch.

New Virgin Atlantic UK Domestic Flights

14, September 2012/in Corporate Travel Newsletter /by Paul

Virgin Atlantic has announced plans to fly domestic services between London Heathrow and Manchester airports from March 2013.

Commencing 31st March, Virgin will operate three daily services from Heathrow Terminal 1 to Manchester Airport’s Terminal 3. Flights are on sale now.

British Airways’ Club World to First Offer Returns

14, September 2012/in Corporate Travel Newsletter /by Paul

Effective immediately, book a Club World return ticket on British Airways in booking classes R, D or C between now and October 2nd, and you’ll receive a complimentary one-way upgrade to First (subject to availability).

The booking period continues through to November 13th, but is only valid at the higher J class fare level/s after 2nd October. Outbound travel must be completed by 13th November and inbound travel by 20th November.

Lufthansa Cabin Crew Strike Fri 7th Sept 2012

6, September 2012/in Corporate Travel Newsletter /by Paul

The union representing Lufthansa’s flight attendants has intensified its strike action. Tomorrow’s walkout has now affected a majority of the airline’s flight schedule.

The eight hour walkout will affect Lufthansa’s operations in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich & Stuttgart. The union represents over two thirds of Lufthansa’s 18,000 cabin crew, and is seeking a five percent pay increase backdated to January, after three years of wage freezes.

We (GTM) are actively managing every Lufthansa booking for tomorrow and will be in contact, if we haven’t already, to assist with re-scheduling your travel arrangements. However, should you have any concerns please do contact us at your earliest convenience.

Finally, as this strike action continues to affect more of the airline’s operations, and with no forseeable end in sight to the dispute, please ensure (if you are booked to fly with Lufthansa in the near future) that you do check in online for your flight.

Lufthansa Cabin Crew Strike 31st August 2012

31, August 2012/in Corporate Travel Newsletter /by Paul

Notification of today’s strike by Lufthansa cabin crews was only announced by the airline at 0700 CET today. The union representing Lufthansa’s flight attendants refused to release details any earlier.

The strike officially started at 0500 this morning and will last until 1300 CET today. Please forward on to your colleagues as appropriate and recommend that anyone due to fly with Lufthansa today, checks in for their flight online, where they will find the most up to date information. We have already checked whether any of the tickets we’ve issued have been affected and will be in contact with those passengers very shortly.

It is worth noting that this may be the first in a series of walk-outs by Lufthansa flight attendants, so if you are planning any travel, or are due to fly with the airline in the coming weeks, please always check in online. We will send out further updates as they reach us.

Delta Airlines’ Business Class Offer Extended!

26, July 2012/in Corporate Travel Newsletter /by Paul

Please note that further to my previous email of the 18th July, regarding Delta Airlines’ Business Class offer to the USA, that the selling period for this offer has now been extended until the end of this month.

As a reminder, the highlight is a lead-in fare to New York’s JFK Airport of just £1,551, including airport taxes and fuel surcharge. The offer does also permit Business/Economy Class combinations offering even better value.

Other direct routes to the States offered by Delta are : Atlanta, Boston, Detroit & Minneapolis St Paul. Onward connections to dozens of other cities are also included in the offer.

The travel period extends through to 2nd September 2012. Delta Airlines’ Business Elite Class seats do offer a genuine lie-flat product, which when fully flat offers a 6 ft 4″ bed.

Delta Airlines' Business Class Specials!

18, July 2012/in Corporate Travel Newsletter /by Paul

Please note that for a short sales period only, Delta Airlines are offering highly discounted Business Class fares to the USA.

The highlight is a lead-in fare to New York’s JFK Airport of just £1,551 including airport taxes and fuel surcharge and is also lower than is currently being quoted on Expedia! The offer does also permit Business/Economy Class combinations offering even better value.

Other direct routes to the States offered by Delta are : Atlanta, Boston, Detroit & Minneapolis St Paul. Onward connections to dozens of other cities are also included in the offer.

However, be quick, as you will need to book up by midnight on Monday 23rd July. That said the travel period extends until 2 September 2012.

Delta Airlines’ Business Elite Class seats do offer a genuine lie-flat product, which when fully flat offers a 6 ft 4″ bed. I have also had a look at the availability and there are plenty of available seats on the random selection of dates I’ve looked at – so what are you waiting for?!

Interesting links